Invitations hint at actual “iPhone 5” moniker, rumored date confirmed

Sep 5, 2012 06:48 GMT  ·  By

The invitations to Apple’s rumored press event are out. The Cupertino giant has confirmed September 12 as the date when it plans to unveil its next-generation iPhone. The artwork accompanying the invitations actually hints at the iPhone 5.

Reading simply “It’s almost here,” the press invites show a big 12 that casts a shadow in the shape of a 5. If that’s not confirmation that Apple will call its next smartphone “iPhone 5,” we don’t know what is.

Previously, it was speculated that Apple might call its next smartphone “the new iPhone,” keeping in line with the iPad. It appears that’s not the case.

The September 12 event has been in the works for a while now. It was initially confirmed by the Wall Street Journal, whose editors are the first to gain knowledge of major Apple events every year. This time was no different.

There has been a ton of speculation regarding the actual product launches / updates scheduled by Apple for this particular gathering with select members of the media.

It was initially believed that Apple was launching the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini during this event. Pundits now say that two events are more likely.

Sources close to 9to5mac say there’s a good possibility there will be at least two new (or updated) iPod lines, and possibly even a third, at next week’s event. However, that leaves the rumored October event with nothing but the iPad mini. As always, time will tell.

The iPhone 5 is expected to feature an elongated design, mainly because of the inclusion of a bigger screen. Measuring 4 inches on the diagonal, the display is said to be the same Retina-grade spec included in current iPhones.

According to several hardware leaks, the headphone jack has been relocated to the bottom of the phone, where users will also find redesigned speaker grills and a miniaturized dock connector.

The phone is said to employ a unibody chassis carved out of metal (most likely aluminum), with two radio-transparent windows placed on the back of the phone for good cellular and Wi-Fi reception.

NFC (near field communication) technology is said to wait another year to make it into the iPhone, but some say Apple could pull it off, even with a big metal plate covering the phone’s internals.